I’ve always looked for ways for others to be surprised by what they can do. And I’ve always been fascinated by what the body can teach the mind.
I am a member of the Martial Arts Industry Association; a qualified P.T. Master trainer (Fitness Australia) and a Level 1 Sports Coach (Ausport). I cross trained as a grappler and a student of M.M.A. With my gymnastics background, I developed ‘Acrobatics for Dancers’ a program that teaches dances to smoothly incorporate acrobatic movements into their routines. Physical activity has enhanced my personal and professional life in too many ways for me to keep track of. In particular, martial arts have sparked my passion for teaching and learning.
What began as an outlet for an “overly energetic” nine year old eased me into adulthood. Training drove home important lessons about self-control, dedication and respect; lessons that would keep safe from the many negative influences in my surroundings. And, through martial arts, I’ve met new people, forged relationships and have benefited from countless enriching, life-changing experiences.
I studied Zen Do Kai Karate Do freestyle for four years. By age 13, I’d earned a brown belt black tip. Perhaps more importantly, I realised how confident training made me. When the karate school moved away, I joined Cheah’s Advanced Tae kwon Do Academy. I trained for 4 more years. Again, I achieved a Brown belt black tip and self-improvement build my confidence. But, that experience instilled in that a school is a community and how teaching nourishes that community. In 1992, I joined another fighting community: the Australian armed forces. The Navy provided ample opportunity to add to my martial arts skill set. When not on deployment, I trained with boxers and kick boxers; using their expertise to build on my Karate and Tae Kwon Do foundations. This ability to borrow, or synthesise, prepared me for the art that would for me become so fulfilling.
I first saw Capoeira on the silver screen, in “Only the Strong”. The fusion of dance, acrobatics, music and martial arts was entrancing. Capoeira quickly became my obsession. I began training In 1997. In 2001 I met and begun Training With Mestre Cicatriz: a well known mestre from Rio de Janeiro, under the umbrella of Mestre Cabeça. Since then, I’ve studied, taught, played and performed around the globe. I represented the Australian branch of my then school Grupo Bahia Capoeira in places such as Brazil, Canada, Australia, USA, Indonesia, Singapore and Polynesia. In 2005, Sinhá Capoeira amalgamated with Grupo Bahia and was rechristened Sinhá Bahia de Capoeira. In September 2010, I attended the Sinhá Bahia Internacional Annual World Capoeira Conference where, in the presence of Gran Mestre Poeira and many other mestres, Mestre Cicatriz graded me to the level of Instrutor. This achievement was most important to me as it represented an integration of two passions: Capoeira and teaching.
As exhilarating as a roda often is, what I enjoy most is watching another’s apprehension become hope, and that hope become confidence. Martial arts, Capoeira especially, has helped me along that path. And now I look forward to using my experience to guide others.
Through capoeira, he found his self-esteem and his calling. As a kid in Rio de Janeiro, he met Mestre Poeira giving a capoeira demonstration. Bedazzled by the art, the young Nilson trained hard by himself, and was accepted to be Mestre Poeira’s student at the age of eight, for his dedication and sheer will. He was Graduated to the rank of Mestre on 15 November 1984. In 1981, when he was a Contra-Mestre, he formed Associaçao Grupo Bahia de Capoeira, that later became Sinhá Bahia de Capoeira. Living in Natividade, state of Rio de Janeiro, he commits his school and the art of capoeira toward community development.
The nickname Cabeça was Given in the Roda’s of Capoeira in the streets of Campo Grande, in Rio De Janeiro, when the policemen asked who is the head, the one responsible for the capoeiristas. Everyone always pointed at the young Nilson, he gained new name and fame. born in Bangu - RIO DE JANEIRO, Mestre Cabeça was initiated in 1970 to the art of the Capoeira, he has since graded many other men and women to the rank of Mestre: Mestre Tainã; Mestre Gegê; Mestre Torpedo; Mestre Cicatriz; Mestre Binha. He moved to Natividade, in the state of Rio de Janeiro northwest, and in this city he installed the headquarters of the Associaçao Grupo Bahia de Capoeira, (established in 1981) Mestre Cabeça worked in some projects as the Curumim, of the APAE and he acted as social educator in the “National Movement of Boys from the streets”. He Also developed the project “Culture in the Community”. Mestre moved in Macaé in 2003 and transferred his headquarters to this city. In 2004 in partnerships with the a Associação de Capoeira Raízes de Aruanda of which the president is the Mestre Dengo. They organized the first international integration of Capoeira event ArtLuz , during this event the a unification of the Sinhá Capoeira (under Mestre Binha, a former student of Mestre Cabeça) and Mestre Cabeça’s original school Groupo Bahia took place, forming Sinhá Bahia de Capoeira Internaçional. Mestre Cabeça Has travelled for the outside of Brazil Several times to participate of events, Conventions and lectures to Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Malaysia and Indonesia. His students and graduated Mestres like Mestre Gegê Mestre Cicatriz, Mestre Torpedo and Contra Mestre Tata Now live outside of Brazil and continue to spread the knowledge, Experience and Passion to a new generation of Future Mestres.
O apelido nasceu nas rodas de Capoeira formadas nas ruas de Campo Grande, Zona Oeste do Rio de Janeiro, quando os policiais perguntavam quem era o cabeça- o responsável pelos capoeiristas. Sempre apontado, o jovem Nilson ganhou novo nome e fama. Nascido em Bangu –RJ, Mestre Cabeça iniciou-se em 1970 na arte da Capoeira, pelas mãos de Mestre Poeira. Formou-se como mestre em 15 de novembro de 1984. Em sua caminhada como mestre formou vários mestres, hoje em atividades dentro e fora do país, como: Mestre Lotar; Mestre Tainã; Mestre Gegê; Mestre Torpedo; Mestre Cicatriz ; Mestre Binha.
Mudou-se para Natividade, noroeste fluminense, e nesta cidade instalou a sede da Associação Grupo Bahia de Capoeira ( fundada em 1981 no Rio quando ainda era contra-mestre) Em Natividade trabalhou em vários projetos como o Curumim, o da APAE e atuou como educador social no Movimento Nacional de Meninos de Rua. Inclusive desenvolvendo o projeto Cultura na Comunidade na cidade.
Morando em Macaé desde 2003, transferiu sua sede para esta cidade. Em 2004 em parcerias com a Associação de Capoeira Raízes de Aruanda do qual o presidente é o Mestre Dengo ,organizaram á primeira integração internacional de Capoeira , e a unificação do Sinhá Capoeira e o grupo Bahia, formando o á associação Sinhá Bahia de Capoeira. Participa do projeto ArtLuz.
Mestre Cabeça já viajou para o exterior diversas vezes para participar de eventos, mostras, apalestras, etc. Entre os países onde o Mestre Cabeça foi representar a Capoeira podemos citar: Paraguai, Uruguai, Argentina, França, Espanha, Portugal, Holanda , Malásia e Indonésia.
Mestre Lotar was trained in many martial arts. But for him, capoeira is special for it healed him from a mysterious medical condition and has given him strength and courage. His posture and martial arts skills belied his gentleness and compassion toward his students and those around him. He helped paved the way for many youths to find a brighter future through capoeira.
"My first steps in the world of martial arts were at the age of 12 when I sat watching a man practice Karate on a field close to my home. I was so absorbed by his art that hours would pass without taking my eyes off him. I would even turn up at his doorstep in the morning and accompany him to his place of training. One day I worked up the courage to ask him to train. At first he was reluctant to take me on as a student but when he saw my persistence he gave in.
I trained hard and by the age of 14 I started wanting to put my skills to the test. As there was a lack of Karate opponents, I started frequenting Capoeira rodas where I knew I would find subjects willing to take me on. I didn’t think highly of Capoeira and don’t understand the art form. I made jokes about the guys who ‘threw their legs and arms aimlessly’ never engaging in any real combat. Being a brute, I even told the Capoeiristas that if we ever got into a brawl, I would stomp on their heads.
However, one day I went to a holiday roda in which I saw Mestre Cabeça playing and I couldn’t take my eyes of him. I spend dawn till dusk watching him execute his movements to perfection in a tactful yet charming game. He was like an elastic band and could bend his spine so easily as he could fold a piece of paper. I was so impressed that I asked him where he gave classes and decided to do some training with him.
Capoeira conquered me within an instant, and before I knew it I was a Capoeirista myself. I trained Karate in the morning and Capoeira in the evening. On the days when there was no Capoeira class I would accompany Mestre Cabeça to a roda carrying the atabaque drum on my back.
Soon enough, Capoeira changed my whole life. It cured me from a mysterious medical condition, which caused me to faint all the time. While I was training Karate I still frequently blacked out and remember waking up in hospital with all sorts of medical equipment connected to me and the doctors shaking their heads unable to explain my condition. However, from the time I started doing Capoeira, my blackouts became less and less frequent until one day they finally stopped. This means that I could stop taking the medications I was on. In fact, Capoeira cured me from a lot of things, from the loss of my mother at an early age. Playing instruments, singing and doing acrobatics made me happy and gave me a lot to live for.
Even though I had fallen in love with Capoeira I never let go of Karate and even became interested in other martial arts. I started boxing and because of my cross training I was able to progress very quickly. Being of solid build, at the age of 24 I entered and won two heavyweight championships. In 1990 I also started training Kung fu but after 3 years I stopped due to the unfortunate death of my beloved Master.
I continued my Capoeira training and was encouraged by Mestre Cabeça and Mestre Gegê to participate in a Capoeira Championship. I was not sure about it, but due to the persistence of them I soon found myself standing in a big hall full of well-known capoeiristas. I was not nervous, I trained hard and hit hard and being hard headed. I knew that I could resolve anything with a fight. In fact that is how I got my Capoeira name. At the time there was a cartoon about a magician and his assistant. The magician, much like Mestre Cabeça, resolved everything in a peaceful and tactful manner. His assistant on the other hand, incidentally a black, bold guy like me, always resorted to violence. That is why I did not feel nervous. Not until the names of the heavyweight competitors were announced.
For lack of heavier competitors I was announced to be Mestre Hulk’s opponent! That is when I began to worry. I was not even a graduado (Black belt equivelant) and he was already a well-respected and well-known Capoeirista. However, I did not have much time to fret as I was already standing in the middle of the roda listening to the rules of the game: best of three rounds; the competitor that managed to force the other out of the roda with tactical fighting and skillful game would win each round.
Then it began. I used all my force and kicked in every direction possible. But it was all in vain. Mestre Hulk was nailed to the ground. His base was rock solid and he took me out in the first round. Somehow in the second I managed to push him out of the roda but he came back fighting for glory in the third. At that point I realized that my size and strength were not particularly advantageous in that game and I resorted to using technique I had learned from Mestre Cabeça. I was amazed that pure technique allowed me to stretch the last round out to the fifth and final minute. However I was hit by a pisão (Big Sidekick) that awarded Mestre Hulk the game. As I listened to the presentation of the trophies, unhappy with my loss, I assured myself I had not lost to just anyone but to Mestre Hulk – a great Capoeirista. However when my name was announced as a Capoeirista who had used the best technique, my heart started to jump and I could not contain the emotions that started whizzing through my body.
When I reflect on my life as a Capoeirista, it hurts me to think that I made jokes about this art form that has given me so much. It has allowed me to travel the world, given me strength and courage, cured me of disease and opened the door for many long lasting friendships. For that I thank God and Capoeira itself. I on the other hand, gave it nothing more than hard training but wish that I could give it so much."
Luis Carlos da Silva (Mestre Lotar),Rio de Janeiro
He is the Supervising Mestre of Sinhá Bahia de Capoeira – Canada. With 27 years of capoeira, he has visited many countries to spread the art. For us, he is a strict but also patient teacher, who pushes his students to be their best. A fair and compassionate Mestre, he seeks to contribute for a better world through the art of capoeira.
He Writes:
"Capoeira entered my life even before I entered the world. I, Alessandro Gomes de Reis, was born in November 1974 but those close to me say that the tiny Mestre (Master) Cicatriz was doing his ginga in the womb long before that. I can't remember that far back, but I probably enjoyed the echoes of the atabaque and the berimbau just as much as my pregnant mother’s habit of watching rodas that my older brother participated.
Capoeira has always been part of my life. My obsession with the sport turned into an addiction in 1982, when I was eight years old. Seeing my older brothers arrive home, sweaty and exhausted, made me realize that Capoeira was not only a physical challenge but a psychological one as well. It not only disciplined my brothers to survive the most dangerous of rodas, but to survive the great roda of life and fight for their own place in this world. It gave them a second family, friends and positive role models to look up to. This social aspect and unity is what I value in Capoeira. Many people do not realize , but Capoeira does not limit itself to chutes (kicks) and esquivas (escapes). It's not just a fight, a simple dance or a martial art thats pretty to watch. Capoeira is all this and much more. It's a psychological discipline, a philosophy, a physical challenge and a social encounter. Its teachings, if used with good intentions, can be applied to many aspects of life.
My success in Capoeira has much to do with the support I have received from those closest to me. This of course refers to my Masters who have been there for me from the beginning till this very day. Mestre Lotar has had a double dose of me - both as a student and as an annoying child who imposed himself as a permanent visitor in his house. Considering him a fatherly figure after the loss of my own father, I feasted, slept, played and trained under the roof of Mestre Lotar and without fail, I put up a fight when my mother came to reclaim her son and drag him home. The same goes for Mestre Cabeça and without the two of them I would have lost many a battle which I have triumphed by means of their guidance and advice. Of course I miss my masters and being able to train with them but in return I have gained a whole new family of students in Australia, Indonesia and Canada.
My mother too, has always been a Capoeira enthusiast as well as my number one fan! Of the five brothers that I have, four have crossed paths with Capoeira. Contra Mestre Tata now teaches in Sydney while Mestre Torpedo has taken Sinhá Bahia to Thailand and the Phillipines. As brothers and fellow capoeiristas, we were more than ready to enter any roda, play any game and take any risk. We travelled every inch of Rio until we assured ourselves there was no roda we had not set foot in. And so it went, until the day when Alessandro and Renato died and Master Cicatriz and Master Torpedo were born.
Renato's name is very reflective of his fast paced style of play and torpedo-like movements, while mine better describes my attitude that has led me to carry the scar I have imprinted across my chest. As an adolescent I found myself on the streets of Rio parading the new bike that my father had given me. It was a worthless gift but one of the few I had received in my life. It represented the fruit of my father's labour and therefore I decided it was worth my life. As it was, I was assaulted by two hooligans who, unable to release my grip of the bike, thought it might help to cut my chest open with a knife. Well it did help: the blood scared them away while I tightened my grip on the toy. The fact that my intestines were on display was of no importance. The fact I had not lost my bike, was. And so I went home fearing nothing but my father's condolence of my foolish bravery. You can hurt me, but I know the pain will go and the wounds will scar - that's why I am Mestre Cicatriz!
My life's worth of experience in Capoeira has led me to Paraguay, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile and the United States. I have queixada’ed the Caribbean, exchanged the ginga for sushi in Japan and finally came to settle down in Australia, where I continue to learn through my teaching. In all honesty, I believe I will never stop being a student - there will always be something else to conquer. Capoeira is not a picture that you can finish with one stroke of the paintbrush, hang up on the wall and admire for years on end. Capoeira is an art that needs to be retouched and perfected continuously. It is an ever-evolving phenomenon for the perfection of which even a lifetime is insufficient.
One of the self-set challenges which I really want to accomplish is to share my love and knowledge of Capoeira with the world. I want others to experience the adrenalin, the pride, the fear, the joy, the strife, the highs, the lows, the suffering and the well being that Capoeira has brought into my life and I want them to become better people because of it. It is a great challenge but one that we can achieve together with the students and the community. In fact it is one that we have already begun to accomplish. Sinhá Bahia has grown into an affiliated International Association (Sinhá Bahia) with branches in Brasil, Australia, Thailand and Indonesia, the Phillipines and Now Canada aswel. This has required the dedication of many parties including Mestre Binha in Belo Horizonte, Mestre Cabeça in Natividade, Instrutor Soquete in Canada, Ms. Diah and all the students in Indonesia as well as numerous others whom I would like to thank for their hard work. My dream is of a Sinhá Bahia global family. I have dedicated my life, my work, my world, my energy and myself to this cause and hope that amongst the hundreds of students of Sinhá Bahia, at least a few share my dream."
Robston Mateus da Silva started learning capoeira in 1976, when he was 14 years old. Mestre Binha believes that capoeira can play an important role in social life, that's why he strives to spread the art to various levels of the society. He is involved in many social projects in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Eu Robston Mateus Da Silva conhecido nas Rodas de Capoeira como Mestre Binha Me iniciei na Capoeira em 1976 aos 14 anos. Em 1990 me tornei a contra-Mestre pelo Mestre Dunga que tambem era Mestre do Mestre Chuvisco.Em busca de novos horizontes e novos comhecimentos,fui para o Rio de Janeiro, Com o tempo junto do Mestre Cabeça presidente da associaçao Grupo Bahia. Em 1999 me tornei a Mestre pelo Mestre Cabeça,Logo em seguida prosseguir para uma turne na Europa e Ásia. Atualmente estou em Belo horizonte com varios projetos Estaduais,Municipais e Federais na área social,me tornei diretor da FEDERAÇÃO ESTADUAL DE CAPOEIRA em MG. A grande uniao do grupo SINHÁ CAPOEIRA E o Grupo BAHIA transformou-se em ASSOCIAÇÃO SINHÁ BAHIA DE CAPOEIRA atuando no Brasil,Australia, Indonesia,Tailandiae Malasia dirigido pelos ilustres Mestres; MESTRE CABEÇA, MESTRE CICATRIZ, MESTRE TORPEDO E MESTRE LOTAR
Born in Rio De Janiero in 1979, Contra Mestre Tata was exposed to Capoeira from an early age through his older brothers, Mestre Cicatriz and Mestre Torpedo. He would feel the urge to participate in their training and rodas, and one day to become a great capoeirista just like them. "I would see my brothers playing and say to myself, if I could become only a small part of what they were, I would be happy. That of course presented a great challenge, and a goal I was determined to achieve."
Contra Mestre Tata started playing Capoeira at the age of 10, often getting himself into trouble for practicing his kicks around the house and breaking things. Yet despite being in the shadow of his brothers, he always had admiration and respect for them. "In the absence of our father, my brother (Mestre Cicatriz) was like a father for me. Like a real father he must have had some kind of magical telescope that enabled him to see every little mistake I made. If I missed a Capoeira class, he would be on the phone from Japan, telling me to "wake up to yourself Tata! ". And I'm glad he did, because right now, if I hadn't, I would still be in Rio, without any of the opportunities that I have been given. He has been there for me, emotionally, financially and spiritually."
By the age of 15 Contra Mestre Tata was already a very good Capoeirista and by the age of 17 he gained his Instructor grading. His training included guidance from three Sinhá Bahia Masters including Mestre Cicatriz, Mestre Lotar and Mestre Cabeça. "I remember spending a whole summer with Mestre Cabeça. I admire him for not only being able to tolerate me, but for teaching me so much. At his age, and after all his life experiences, he is still 150% dedicated to Capoeira and his students. That is love if you ask me".
Contra Mestre Tata also developed the discipline needed to become a great Capoeirista through experience in numerous rodas in Rio de Janeiro. "I would go to a roda and be hit in the face. I would come back and hope to be hit again, yet in another way, on another day, and by another capoeirista ; because we learn to live and live to learn, and as long as you don't make the same mistake twice, I think you've got a chance."
Whilst in Brazil Contra Mestre Tata has also trained intensively in the style of Capoeira Angola with Mestre Dengo and Mestre Coelho. "You know, in Brazil, capoeira is almost a sort of political game and rivalry, especially between members of the Capoeira Angola "schools" and those of the Regional "schools". It was constantly a matter of who kicked who, rivalries between different groups, Angola Capoeiristas who would think Regionol Capoeiristas to have no culture and no understanding of capoeira; and alternatively, Regional Capoeirstas claiming Capoeira Angola is too passive. But you know what the best part of it is? Its when the person who was kicked in the roda shakes the hand of his attacker, when rival groups can have a great time playing each other, and when Angola and Regional players teach each other a piece of their own art. That is what Mestre Dengo from Raízes de Aruanda did for me. He took me in under his own roof and taught me Angola, like I was his own son. That is what Capoeira is about: Respect, Friendship and Peace. It is not about destroying, but about creating, in love friendship and knowledge".
After teaching Capoeira on a voluntary basis to disadvantaged children in Brazil, Professor Tata embarked on a challenge to establish a Sinhá Bahia branch in Jakarta, Indonesia. "I think if there is something that you love, like I love Capoeira, you should share it with others. I loved working in Indonesia, because Capoeira to them is a novelty, and only through their admiration of my culture have I started to really understand its worth."
Whilst Tata (then still Professor) was in Indonesia he collaborated closely with his other brother Mestre Torpedo who was at the time concurrently establishing a Sinhá Bahia Branch in Thailand. "My brother Torpedo helped me out so much during my stay in Indonesia, and for that I am very grateful. For the first time I felt like I was getting closer to being what I always wanted to be, and doing what I always wanted to do: work alongside my brothers. I am by no means as good as them, nor do I ever think I will be, but at least we continue to learn from one another and that is what is important."
After gaining his Professor grading, Tata has decided to embark on a further challenge and return to the side of his brother and Master, Cicatriz, and help strengthen the Sinhá Bahia Group in Sydney. He Received his Contra Mestre Corda In Brazil in 2010. Contra Mestre Tata Was the first to bring Benguela to Sinhá Bahia Australia in 2005.
"You know, I came here (Sydney) as a Professor with the aim to teach capoeira, yet I have realized that I have a great deal to learn. That's ok though, I'm prepared to fall. What about you?"
Contra Mestre Tata
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